My dog does lots of things with confidence. He performs agility obstacles at high speed, he races through the woods and leaps in the air after pinecones, he willingly meets people and most other dogs—especially old border collies, and he’s only a little bit scared of sheep (okay, I know that’s weird for a herding dog). But there’s one thing that fills him with absolute terror. What is this awful thing and why do I subject him to it?
I'm so sorry to hear that your dog is still so afraid of the vet! Lily seems to have forgotten all about getting microchipped, but our rescue cats still run when they hear the ice let down in the freezer (after 7 years!)
I like your idea of snippets of interiority at appropriate moments. You're so right that back story is essential to understanding.
You are such an amazing writer. I was hooked from the beginning, wanting to find out what Tock's story was. And amazingly touched by the mention of Moth and Tarzan. "Is that you?" OMG. it really got me. Wonderful post.
I'm so sorry to hear that your dog is still so afraid of the vet! Lily seems to have forgotten all about getting microchipped, but our rescue cats still run when they hear the ice let down in the freezer (after 7 years!)
I like your idea of snippets of interiority at appropriate moments. You're so right that back story is essential to understanding.
I love the way you use your experiences with dogs to demonstrate basic principles of good writing, Wendy. Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Dorothy! And thanks for reading it!
Have you seen my new Substack, A Quirky Nature Newsletter? My first post is about the abundant wild chickens on Kaua'i.
I thought I'd subscribed to it, but maybe not because I haven't seen it. Searching for it now!
Have you written a How To Write type book using Tok as the terrific example? You’ve already got chapters from these essays.
I haven't! Might be a fun endeavor someday...
Yes, yes, yes!!! Planting backstory where it belongs is one of the hardest things a writer has to learn. Excellent way of presenting this.
Thanks, Janet!
Tears and laughs--wonderful backstory telling!
Thanks, Patti - and thanks for reading!
Very good blog on backstory!
Thanks for reading it, Cilla!
You're lucky to have a forgetful dog! I wonder why the kitties are scared of the ice maker?
Thanks for reading!
You are such an amazing writer. I was hooked from the beginning, wanting to find out what Tock's story was. And amazingly touched by the mention of Moth and Tarzan. "Is that you?" OMG. it really got me. Wonderful post.
You are too kind, Suzy! But we do miss The Ones Who've Gone Before, don't we?
Boy do we.